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Hydroxyurea reduced medical costs for children with sickle cell anemia
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Hydroxyurea as treatment for sickle cell anemia in young children decreased medical care costs, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.
“The BABY HUG study demonstrated clinical benefits of hydroxyurea for infants and toddlers with sickle cell anemia, who had less frequent episodes of pain, dactylitis, and [acute chest syndrome] and fewer [hospitalization] and [transfusions] compared with those receiving placebo,” Winfred C. Wang, MD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and colleagues wrote. “In this retrospective analysis, we found that hydroxyurea treatment was associated with an estimated annual per patient expenditure of [approximately] 21% less than estimated for standard care alone.”
The BABY HUG study included children aged 1 to 3 years with sickle cell disease treated with either hydroxyurea or placebo.
Researchers found there were 232 hospitalizations in participants receiving hydroxyurea and 324 on placebo; length of stay was similar among the two groups. Although outpatient expenses were higher in participants receiving hydroxyurea, total estimated cost for those on hydroxyurea was 21% less compared with those on placebo (P=.038).
“We conclude that the use of hydroxyurea treatment is associated with substantial cost savings, even in very young children with sickle cell anemia and a full spectrum of disease severity,” researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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